Just finished watching this video and all I can say is WOW. I need to find out how I can give this guy every penny I own to invest. A little long but worth it...

Worth 1,000 words...

On Saturday November 1st I attended the 2nd Annual "Help'm not Hassel'm" charity poker tournament. I helped with last year's event (giving secrets on how I've run my own charity tournament for the past 4 years). This year there were a few celebs in attendance. One of those celebrities was Tiffany Michelle, a professional poker player and Santa Clarita native (well maybe not native but home town anyway). Tiffany placed 17th at the 2008 World Series of Poker, placing higher than 6,827 other players and was the last woman standing. Her nickname is "Hot Chips" because, well, she's kinda hot....

During a break in the action I introduced myself to her and asked to take a picture. She was very approachable and just plain nice to chat with. Unfortunately I didn't get to play with her at the tables, guess I'll have to wait until I make it to the WSOP myself.



Anyway, thanks for the pic Tiff!

Normally I wouldn't interject my political views in this space, but in this case I feel the need...

On the way in to work this morning I saw some signs for Yes on Prop 8. One says "Yes on Prop 8 = Free Speech". The other said "Yes on 8 = Less Government".

To quote Tim the Tool-Man Taylor..."Uuuuuugggggghhh?!"

Let's look at the first sign. "Yes on 8 = Free Speech"....for who? How does not allowing a group of people legal rights (I'm not going to get into a religious debate) equate free speech? Free speech to me would be allowing any two humans who want to express their love by creating a legal union in the state of California the ability and legal right to do so. Telling anyone they can not do so is the EXACT OPPOSITE of free speech. I could go on and on but I'd just be repeating that same argument in various forms.

Now let's take a look at sign #2. "Yes on 8 = Less Government"....ummm....WTF? So let's have less government involvement by having the government tell a group of people that they can't do something that other people can?? I don't care who you are or what you're beliefs are if by carrying out those beliefs you:

a) do not cause physical or emotional harm on those you come in contact with (obligatory murderer/crazy-ass compound leader argument)

&

b) those beliefs do not keep you from being a productive member of society (obligatory crack-head argument)

Please, feel free to do what ever the hell you want...especially if I'm entitled to legal rights for doing the exact same thing. That would be less government.

Again, I'm not talking about religious issues here because there is SUPPOSED to be a separation of Church and State in this country. What I am talking about here are legal rights for legal citizens of the State of California.

I've heard all the B.S. arguments about kids being taught gay marriage in school (just plain untrue) or that Churches MAY lose their charitable status for choosing not to perform same-sex marriages (CA law states "no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs"). And they are just that...B.S. scare tactics.

So tomorrow, November 4th, 2008 (since I live in the great state of California) I will be voting no on prop 8 to NOT "change the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California."

Next up on the Drake Report? Meeting the highest placing female poker player ever in the WSOP (who just so happens to be hot, super nice and who also complimented my attire).